After the craziness of Mumbai, we headed to the beaches of Goa, the smallest state in India. Goa is considered to be the most progressive and modern state, e.g., marriage is typically done by choice here, and it's a favorite vacation spot for Indians all over the country. Goa is known for its beautiful beaches and was formally a huge techno-music hub and hippie haven. Now its apparently the relaxation destination for the Russian mafia, who we luckily missed.

One eye-opening thing we were introduced to in Goa was the young kids that ran shops and markets, often no older than 7 or 8! Although young, they had great math skills for their age, haggled with nerves of steel, and had the business savvy of someone with an MBA.

We spent most of our time lounging on the beaches, avoiding cow patties (which were plentiful), and savoring many curries. Our favorite spot was Palolem Beach, despite the aggressive vendors that patrolled the sands. Tourist huts along the beach get rebuilt every year because of the summer-time monsoon, however, due to an unusually long monsoon, construction was still underway during our stay.